Northwest Biotherapeutics (NWBO) proxy seeks 2.6B share authorization and say-on-pay
Northwest Biotherapeutics, Inc. is asking stockholders to vote at its December 29, 2025 annual meeting on several key items. Stockholders will elect one Class II director, Pat Sarma, to a three-year term and vote on ratifying Cherry Bekaert LLP as independent auditor for 2025.
A major proposal seeks approval to amend the Certificate of Incorporation to increase authorized common shares from 1.7 billion to 2.6 billion. The company states this is intended to support future capital raising, satisfy existing options, warrants and convertible securities, and potentially provide equity incentives. As of November 14, 2025, there were 1,528,682,082 common shares and 818,142 preferred shares outstanding.
Stockholders will also cast an advisory "say-on-pay" vote on 2024 executive compensation, including total 2024 pay of $1.225 million for CEO Linda Powers and $975,000 for former General Counsel Leslie Goldman. The proxy describes board structure, committee responsibilities, related-party arrangements such as the Advent BioServices contracts ahead of its acquisition, and detailed voting procedures for both record and beneficial holders.
Positive
- None.
Negative
- None.
Insights
Proxy centers on a large share authorization increase and standard governance items.
The company is asking investors to approve an amendment raising authorized common stock from
As of
Commission on November 28, 2025
Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (Amendment No. )
TO BE HELD ON DECEMBER 29, 2025
New York, NY 10019
Stockholders, Banks and Brokers Call Toll-Free (866) 989-5520
Monday through Friday, 9:00 AM EDT — 11:00 PM EDT
Saturday, 12:00 PM EDT — 6:00 PM EDT
VOTE ONLINE, BY PHONE, OR COMPLETE, SIGN, DATE AND RETURN THE ENCLOSED PROXY
CARD IN THE ACCOMPANYING ENVELOPE. NO POSTAGE NEED BE AFFIXED IF THE
PROXY CARD IS MAILED IN THE UNITED STATES.
MEETING TO BE HELD ON DECEMBER 29, 2025:
[http://www.edocumentview.com/NWBO]
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PROXY STATEMENT
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| | | | 1 | | |
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PROPOSAL NO. 1 — ELECTION OF DIRECTORS
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| | | | 5 | | |
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PROPOSAL NO. 2 — RATIFICATION OF APPOINTMENT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
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| | | | 8 | | |
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PROPOSAL NO. 3 — APPROVAL OF AN AMENDMENT TO THE CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION TO INCREASE THE NUMBER OF AUTHORIZED SHARES
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| | | | 9 | | |
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PROPOSAL NO. 4 — ADVISORY VOTE TO APPROVE EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
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| | | | 11 | | |
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SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT
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| | | | 12 | | |
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CORPORATE GOVERNANCE MATTERS
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| | | | 14 | | |
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EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
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| | | | 17 | | |
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PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTANT FEES AND SERVICES
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| | | | 29 | | |
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OTHER MATTERS
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| | | | 30 | | |
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ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
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| | | | 31 | | |
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APPENDIX A
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| | | | A-1 | | |
4800 Montgomery Lane
Suite 800
Bethesda, Maryland 20814
TO BE HELD ON DECEMBER 29, 2025
New York, NY 10019
Stockholders, Banks and Brokers Call Toll-Free (866) 989-5520
Monday through Friday, 9:00 AM EDT — 11:00 PM EDT
Saturday, 12:00 PM EDT — 6:00 PM EDT
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Name
|
| |
Age
|
| |
Position
|
|
| Linda F. Powers | | |
70
|
| | Class III Director, Chairperson, President and Chief Executive Officer, Chief Financial and Accounting Officer | |
| J. Cofer Black | | |
75
|
| | Class I Director | |
| Dr. Alton L. Boynton | | |
81
|
| | Class I Director, Chief Scientific Officer and Secretary | |
| Pat Sarma | | |
80
|
| | Class II Director | |
| Dr. Navid Malik | | |
56
|
| | Class III Director | |
REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
|
Name and address of Beneficial Owner
|
| |
Amount and
Nature of Beneficial Ownership |
| |
Percentage(1)
|
| ||||||
| Directors and Officers: | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
|
Alton L. Boynton, Ph.D(3)
|
| | | | 12,189 | | | | | | *% | | |
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Marnix L. Bosch, Ph.D., M.B.A.(3)
|
| | | | 129,157 | | | | | | *% | | |
|
Linda F. Powers(2)
|
| | | | 29,411,759 | | | | | | 1.9% | | |
|
Dr. Navid Malik(3)
|
| | | | 10,000 | | | | | | *% | | |
|
J. Cofer Black(3)
|
| | | | — | | | | | | *% | | |
|
Pat Sarma(3)
|
| | | | 7,365,069 | | | | | | *% | | |
|
All executive officers and directors as a group (six persons)
|
| | | | 36,928,174 | | | | | | 2.4% | | |
|
Name and Principal Position
|
| |
Year
|
| |
Salary
($) |
| |
Bonus
($) |
| |
Option
Awards |
| |
Total
($) |
| |||||||||||||||
|
Linda F. Powers
Chairperson, President & Chief Executive Officer, Chief Financial and Accounting Officer |
| | | | 2024 | | | | | | 925,000 | | | | | | 300,000(1) | | | | | | — | | | | | | 1,225,000 | | |
| | | | 2023 | | | | | | 925,000 | | | | | | 300,000(2) | | | | | | — | | | | | | 1,225,000 | | | ||
|
Leslie Goldman(3)
Former Senior Vice President and General Counsel |
| | | | 2024 | | | | | | 725,000 | | | | | | 250,000(4) | | | | | | — | | | | | | 975,000 | | |
| | | | 2023 | | | | | | 725,000 | | | | | | 250,000(5) | | | | | | — | | | | | | 975,000 | | | ||
|
Marnix L. Bosch, Ph.D.
Chief Technical Officer |
| | | | 2024 | | | | | | 453,600(6) | | | | | | 180,000(7) | | | | | | | | | | | | 633,600 | | |
| | | | 2023 | | | | | | 453,600 | | | | | | 180,000(8) | | | | | | — | | | | | | 633,600 | | | ||
|
Name
|
| |
Number of
Securities Underlying Unexercised Options (#) Exercisable(1) |
| |
Number of
Securities Underlying Unexercised Options (#) Unexercisable |
| |
Option
Exercise Price ($) |
| |
Option
Expiration Date |
| ||||||||||||
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Linda F. Powers
Chairperson, President & Chief Executive Officer, Chief Financial and Accounting Officer |
| | | | 39,200,000(2) | | | | | | — | | | | | $ | 0.23 | | | | | | 5/28/2028 | | |
| | | | 10,770,429(3) | | | | | | — | | | | | $ | 0.35 | | | | | | 7/2/2030 | | | ||
| | | | 32,558,724(3) | | | | | | — | | | | | $ | 0.35 | | | | | | 12/1/2030 | | | ||
| | | | 11,789,879(4) | | | | | | — | | | | | $ | 0.55 | | | | | | 9/2/2030 | | | ||
|
Leslie J. Goldman
Former Senior Vice President and General Counsel |
| | | | 24,500,000(5) | | | | | | — | | | | | $ | 0.23 | | | | | | 5/28/2028 | | |
| | | | 6,731,518(6) | | | | | | — | | | | | $ | 0.35 | | | | | | 7/2/2030 | | | ||
| | | | 21,822,937(6) | | | | | | — | | | | | $ | 0.35 | | | | | | 12/1/2030 | | | ||
| | | | 5,894,939(7) | | | | | | — | | | | | $ | 0.55 | | | | | | 9/2/2030 | | | ||
|
Name
|
| |
Number of
Securities Underlying Unexercised Options (#) Exercisable(1) |
| |
Number of
Securities Underlying Unexercised Options (#) Unexercisable |
| |
Option
Exercise Price ($) |
| |
Option
Expiration Date |
| ||||||||||||
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Marnix L. Bosch, Ph.D.
Chief Technical Officer |
| | | | 7,740,182(8) | | | | | | — | | | | | $ | 0.25 | | | | | | 6/13/2027 | | |
| | | | 10,798,729(9) | | | | | | — | | | | | $ | 0.35 | | | | | | 7/2/2030 | | | ||
| | | | 16,630,726(10) | | | | | | — | | | | | $ | 0.35 | | | | | | 12/1/2030 | | | ||
| Year | | | Summary Compensation Table Total for PEO | | | Compensation Actually Paid to PEO(1) | | | Average Summary Compensation Table Total for Non-PEO NEOs | | | Average Compensation Actually Paid to Non-PEO NEOs(2) | | | Value of Initial Fixed $100 Investment Based On Total Shareholder Return(3) | | | Net Loss (in thousands) | | ||||||||||||||||||
| 2024 | | | | $ | | | | | $ | | | | | $ | | | | | $ | | | | | $ | | | | | $ | ( | | | |||||
| 2023 | | | | $ | | | | | $ | | | | | $ | | | | | $ | | | | | $ | | | | | $ | ( | | | |||||
| 2022 | | | | $ | | | | | $ | | | | | $ | | | | | $ | | | | | $ | | | | | $ | ( | | | |||||
| SCT Total to CAP Reconciliation | | | 2024 | | | 2023 | | | 2022 | | |||||||||
| SCT Total for PEO | | | | $ | | | | | $ | | | | | $ | | | |||
| (Less): Aggregate value for stock awards and option awards included in SCT Total for the covered fiscal year | | | | | — | | | | | | — | | | | | | — | | |
| Outstanding and unvested awards: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Add: Fair value at year end of awards granted during the covered fiscal year that were outstanding and unvested at the covered fiscal year end | | | | | — | | | | | | — | | | | | | — | | |
| Add: Change in fair value as of fiscal year-end, compared to prior fiscal year-end, of awards granted in any prior fiscal year that are outstanding and unvested as of the end of the fiscal year | | | | | — | | | | | | — | | | | | | — | | |
| Awards granted and vesting in the same year: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Add: Vesting date fair value of awards granted and vested during the covered fiscal year | | | | | — | | | | | | — | | | | | | — | | |
| Awards vesting in current fiscal year but granted in a prior fiscal year: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Add: Change in fair value as of vesting date, compared to prior fiscal year-end, of awards granted in any prior fiscal year for which all vesting conditions were satisfied at fiscal year-end or during the fiscal year | | | | | — | | | | | | — | | | | | | — | | |
| Compensation Actually Paid to PEO | | | | $ | | | | | $ | | | | | $ | | | |||
| SCT Total to CAP Reconciliation | | | 2024 | | | 2023 | | | 2022 | | |||||||||
| Average SCT Total for Non-PEO NEOs | | | | $ | | | | | $ | | | | | $ | | | |||
| (Less): Aggregate value for stock awards and option awards included in SCT Total for the covered fiscal year | | | | | — | | | | | | — | | | | | | — | | |
| Outstanding and unvested awards: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Add: Fair value at year end of awards granted during the covered fiscal year that were outstanding and unvested at the covered fiscal year end | | | | | — | | | | | | — | | | | | | — | | |
| Add: Change in fair value as of fiscal year-end, compared to prior fiscal year-end, of awards granted in any prior fiscal year that are outstanding and unvested as of the end of the fiscal year | | | | | — | | | | | | — | | | | | | — | | |
| Awards granted and vesting in the same year: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Add: Vesting date fair value of awards granted and vested during the covered fiscal year | | | | | — | | | | | | — | | | | | | — | | |
| Awards vesting in current fiscal year but granted in a prior fiscal year: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Add: Change in fair value as of vesting date, compared to prior fiscal year-end, of awards granted in any prior fiscal year for which all vesting conditions were satisfied at fiscal year-end or during the fiscal year | | | | | — | | | | | | — | | | | | | — | | |
| Compensation Actually Paid to Non-PEO NEOs | | | | $ | | | | | $ | | | | | $ | | | |||
![[MISSING IMAGE: bc_captsr-4clr.jpg]](https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/0001072379/000110465925116966/bc_captsr-4clr.jpg)
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Name
|
| |
Year
|
| |
Fees
Earned or Paid in Cash ($) |
| |
Option
Awards ($) |
| |
Total
($) |
| ||||||||||||
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Dr. Navid Malik
|
| | | | 2024 | | | | | | 150,000 | | | | | | — | | | | | | 150,000 | | |
|
J. Cofer Black
|
| | | | 2024 | | | | | | 150,000 | | | | | | — | | | | | | 150,000 | | |
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Pat Sarma(1)
|
| | | | 2024 | | | | | | 118,145 | | | | | | — | | | | | | 118,145 | | |
|
Jerry Jasinowski
|
| | | | 2024 | | | | | | 28,226 | | | | | | — | | | | | | 28,226 | | |
Pat Sarma
Dr. Navid Malik
Form of Certificate of Amendment
OF
THE SEVENTH AMENDED AND RESTATED CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION
OF NORTHWEST BIOTHERAPEUTICS, INC.
| | Signature: | | | | |
FAQ
What are the main proposals in Northwest Biotherapeutics (NWBO) 2025 proxy?
The proxy asks stockholders to elect one Class II director (Pat Sarma), ratify Cherry Bekaert LLP as the 2025 independent auditor, approve an amendment increasing authorized common stock from 1.7 billion to 2.6 billion shares, and approve, on an advisory basis, the 2024 executive compensation.
How many Northwest Biotherapeutics (NWBO) shares are currently outstanding versus authorized?
As of November 14, 2025, the company had 1,528,682,082 shares of common stock outstanding and 818,142 shares of preferred stock outstanding. The proxy seeks approval to raise authorized common shares from 1,700,000,000 to 2,600,000,000.
Why is Northwest Biotherapeutics seeking to increase its authorized common stock?
The company states that to continue raising capital for operations, it must either increase authorized shares or implement a reverse split. It prefers increasing the authorization so it can potentially raise additional capital, honor obligations on options, warrants and convertible securities, and possibly provide equity incentives to employees, officers or directors.
What executive compensation is disclosed for Northwest Biotherapeutics (NWBO) in 2024?
For 2024, CEO Linda F. Powers’ total reported compensation is $1,225,000, including a $925,000 salary and a $300,000 bonus approved but not yet paid. Former Senior Vice President and General Counsel Leslie Goldman is reported at $975,000, and Chief Technical Officer Marnix Bosch at $633,600, including approved bonuses.
Who currently serves on Northwest Biotherapeutics’ board and key committees?
The board includes Linda F. Powers, J. Cofer Black, Alton L. Boynton, Pat Sarma, and Dr. Navid Malik. Independent directors (Black, Malik, Sarma) serve on committees: the Audit Committee (Malik, Sarma), Compensation Committee (Malik, Black, Sarma), Conflicts Committee (Black, Sarma, Malik), and Nominations Committee (Malik, Black).
What related-party arrangements involving Advent BioServices does NWBO describe?
Before its acquisition on
How can Northwest Biotherapeutics stockholders vote at the 2025 annual meeting?
Stockholders of record as of November 14, 2025 may vote by online proxy, telephone, or mail using the proxy card. They may also vote in person at the December 29, 2025 meeting. Beneficial owners can vote through their broker, via the proxy solicitor Georgeson LLC, or by using a Voter Information Form and obtaining a legal proxy.